PRESS RELEASE

December 16 2016

COLNE OFFERS ANOTHER 50 AFFORDABLE HOMES IN COLCHESTER

More than 50 modern new homes for people who cannot afford to buy or rent privately are currently being built in Colchester by Colne

The Colchester-based housing association is committed to playing its part in solving Essex’s housing shortage by providing homes at affordable rents or for shared ownership, to enable people to live independently.

Colne has today announced it is building:

·  six one-bed apartments for affordable rent in Bourne Court, off Mersea Road.

·  A further seven apartments and eight terraced and semi-detached houses at Countryside Properties’ Chesterwell Park in Mile End,

·  Four of these have just been put on the market for part buy part rent (shared ownership) aimed at people who want to own their own home, but can’t afford to get on the housing ladder at the moment

·  Seventeen properties available for affordable rent at Meerkat Mews, on the Wyvern Farm development in Stanway. This includes 14 two and three bedroom semis, along with three terraced houses.

Colne Chief Executive Sara Thakkar said: “There is a huge shortage of affordable homes in Essex and beyond and these new homes in Colchester are among the 700 new homes being built by Colne for local people over the next five years.”

Early next year (2017) residents will move in to the 13 one and two-bed shared ownership apartments on the popular Northfields development, near North Station.

The new developments are supported by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The properties will be allocated to those in most need on the Colchester Borough Council housing register.

Colne manages over 3,000 homes across Essex and Suffolk and specialises in enabling independent living. It provides a range of housing solutions and encourages communities to thrive.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

Photo shows: Michelle Lock, of Colne, with Nathan Cole, of Iceni Homes, at the new homes site at Chesterwell Park, Mile End, Colchester

For more information contact Sarah Cawley on 01206 244758